arms trade

A Church of England spokesperson has dismissed a poll at a major Christian arts festival which suggests that many British Christians want troops out of Afghanistan, an end to UK arms exports and a more decisive stand for peace by the churches.

A pro-nuclear former minister has urged the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to stick with his plans to renew the Trident nuclear weapons system. His comments are likely to fuel speculation that Brown is now doubting the policy.

The South African politician Andrew Feinstein, well-known for his struggles against corruption and the arms industry, has been announced as the key speaker at a major gathering of anti-arms trade activists in the UK later this month.

The news that BAE will be prosecuted shouldn't be such a surprise. In a fair world, it would be normal. But fairness is not a quality that has ever applied to BAE, a company that has spent years using its influence to avoid facing justice.

The arms company BAE Systems will be charged with corruption after years of allegations and controversy. The Serious Fraud Office has asked the attorney-general to initiate prosecution on charges of multimillion pound bribery.

Potentially the biggest corporate case in British legal history, concerning the persistent corruption allegations against arms giant BAE Systems, is being treated rather lightly by some sections of the media.

The Conservatives' shadow Defence Secretary, Liam Fox, is facing strong criticism for suggesting that a Tory government would increase financial and political support for arms exports despite the party's commitment to spending cuts in other areas.

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, George Carey, has drawn criticism for making comments supportive of the arms industry. He suggested on BBC television that Britain should be proud of being “particularly good at manufacturing tanks”.